Opposition parties at odds over Afghan detainee document

OTTAWA - An important schism is appearing between opposition parties who now disagree about whether unanimity is required to sign a deal with the Conservative government over access to Afghanistan detainee documents.

"The Speaker of the House of Commons was very clear that all the parties must arrive at a compromise," said NPD MP Joe Comartin. "It has to be unanimous."

The opposition parties were not able to agree on a deal Monday with the Tories that sets out a plan for MPs to view and release sensitive information related to allegations the federal government knowingly transferred Afghan detainees to torture.

"If we don't resolve it tomorrow, it is over," Comartin told reporters after the meeting.

He said if there was no deal, the NDP would move forward with a motion that cites the Conservatives for contempt of Parliament - the most serious Parliamentary sanction.

But Bloc Quebecois House Leader Pierre Paquette said he believes a deal could be struck with only two opposition parties and the government.

"If three of the four parties signed a deal, it would be up to the Speaker (of the House of Commons) to decide," he told reporters. "But I think he would be satisfied with a deal that includes three parties, including the government."

Paquette had called Tuesday deadline day, but now said talks could continue Wednesday as long as a deal is struck before MPs leave Ottawa for the summer.

Liberal MPs Dominic Leblanc and Ralph Goodale came out of the meeting saying they were hopeful a deal could be struck but refused to say whether they would support sanctions against the Conservatives that could trigger an election.